If you’ve been watching Saudi Arabia’s entertainment story unfold, you’ll want to mark your calendar for October 16 and 17. Those are the days Joy Forum 2025 takes over Boulevard City, filling Riyadh with global names, creative minds, and conversations that shape the future of entertainment.

There’s a different kind of energy around it this year. You can sense it in the way the city prepares, in the lights going up along the boulevard, and in the excitement building across Saudi’s creative community. Joy Forum 2025 shows how far Riyadh has come. A city once known for local gatherings now hosting the world with confidence and vision at Riyadh Season 2025.

A Gathering Where Ideas Come to Life

Joy Forum 2025 sits at the center of Riyadh Season, led by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA) under Turki Alalshikh. It’s a space built for conversation and connection, where entertainment isn’t just watched, it’s studied, expanded, and reshaped for the future.

People often call it a “forum,” but it feels closer to a crossroads. Creators, entrepreneurs, and global executives meet here to talk about what’s next, how digital media, sports, and storytelling can grow side by side. Every talk, every handshake, and every partnership formed here adds to Saudi Arabia’s larger story under Vision 2030.

Global Names You’ll Want to Know About

This year’s Joy Forum lineup reads like a roll call of modern entertainment. Global icons, each from a different corner of the world, are set to take the stage and share their journeys, from building communities to reshaping industries.

MrBeast (Jimmy Donaldson)

The YouTube phenomenon known for his larger-than-life projects and philanthropy is coming to Riyadh. Beyond his viral videos, MrBeast is partnering with Riyadh Season to create MrBeast Park, part of Beast Land, adding a new layer of excitement to the city’s entertainment map.

Gary Vaynerchuk (Gary Vee)

A voice for entrepreneurs and dreamers everywhere, Gary Vee brings his take on business, branding, and creative courage. His sessions are expected to focus on how creators can turn ideas into impact, a message that fits perfectly with the momentum in Riyadh.

Dana White

As President of the UFC, Dana White turned a niche sport into a global powerhouse. His visit reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing presence in sports entertainment and its collaborations that now stretch across continents.

Piers Morgan

British broadcaster and journalist Piers Morgan will add a media perspective to the discussions, exploring how storytelling and public dialogue continue to shape the world of entertainment.

Shaquille O’Neal

Few people in the world bridge sports and entertainment like Shaq. From the court to film, music, and business, his story is one of constant reinvention. Expect energy, humor, and wisdom drawn from decades in the spotlight.

Jon Jones

The UFC heavyweight champion joins the lineup as a symbol of excellence and determination. His story connects deeply with the values driving Saudi entertainment: resilience, ambition, and global recognition.

Daymond John

Entrepreneur, investor, and “Shark Tank” star, Daymond John brings lessons in leadership, branding, and building from the ground up. His journey from the streets of Queens to boardrooms around the world will resonate with Saudi entrepreneurs chasing creative dreams.

Aamir Khan

Bollywood icon Aamir Khan brings the soul of cinema to Riyadh. His films have shaped generations across Asia, and his presence highlights the strong cultural bridge between India and Saudi Arabia. One built on storytelling that transcends language.

Shah Rukh Khan

Known across the world as the “King of Bollywood,” Shah Rukh Khan brings a presence that transcends cinema. His visit to Riyadh for Joy Forum 2025 adds star power rooted in storytelling and legacy and reflects Saudi Arabia’s growing connection to South Asian film and culture.

Salman Khan

Few names carry the kind of charisma Salman Khan does. With his long-standing career and unmatched fan following, his presence at Joy Forum speaks to the shared pulse of entertainment between India and Saudi Arabia.

This year’s event is especially symbolic, as three Khans — Shah Rukh, Salman, and Aamir — will share the stage for the first time in the Kingdom. It’s a cinematic moment years in the making and a celebration of cultural bridges built through film.

Mohammad Islam

A familiar voice to many in Saudi Arabia, Mohammad Islam, founder and host of The Mo Show, represents the country’s creative shift toward open conversation and storytelling. His platform has become a space where ideas, identity, and inspiration meet.

Hyun Park

As the founder and CEO of Alquimista Media, Hyun Park brings innovation that connects Asian storytelling with global audiences. His work blends creative production and strategic media design, making him one of the leading voices shaping entertainment’s next frontier.

Lee Jung Jae

An actor, producer, and international icon, Lee Jung Jae rose to global fame through roles that have redefined Korean cinema and streaming culture. His perspective on acting and production adds depth to Joy Forum’s mission to bring global voices together.

Lee Byung Hun

Lee Byung Hun stands among Korea’s most respected actors and producers, known for his range and global appeal. With award-winning performances in both film and television, he represents the strength of Korean storytelling that continues to captivate audiences worldwide.

Yoon Je Kyun

As one of Korea’s most successful directors, Yoon Je Kyun brings a cinematic vision that has shaped modern Korean film. His works combine scale, emotion, and technical mastery, qualities that align with Joy Forum’s spirit of innovation.

Where Vision Meets Experience

Joy Forum 2025 is a reflection of how far Saudi Arabia’s entertainment industry has come, and where it’s headed. The event builds on the foundation laid by Riyadh Season, which now carries a brand value of $3.2 billion and continues to create thousands of jobs across creative sectors.

What makes this forum stand out is its mix of scale and substance. You’ll find global names on stage, but also local innovators in the audience, learning, sharing, and collaborating. It’s a place where global expertise meets Saudi imagination.

Inside the Atmosphere

If you’ve been to Boulevard City before, you know the energy there. During Joy Forum, that energy turns electric. The walkways fill with creators, investors, and fans. Stages light up with talks that start sharp but often turn personal, as speakers share the stories behind their success.

There’s no stiff formality. Just the hum of curiosity and pride. Between sessions, you’ll find visitors gathering over coffee, swapping ideas, or recording quick interviews for digital platforms. Riyadh feels global, yet unmistakably local at the same time.

A Global Stage Built in Riyadh

Joy Forum 2025 takes its place among the major events of Riyadh Season, which kicks off on October 10. The season will unfold across 11 entertainment zones, featuring concerts, championships, and immersive attractions that showcase how far Saudi Arabia’s creative sector has grown.

What makes this year different is the tone — confident, connected, and ready for the world. With each season, Riyadh becomes part of a larger creative network that links Los Angeles, Mumbai, and London through shared stories and shared purpose.

After the Applause

When the lights fade and the crowds move on, what remains is the memory of connection. Ideas exchanged across tables, names remembered, promises made. That’s what Joy Forum 2025 will leave behind: a growing community of creators and dreamers who now see Riyadh as part of their world.

The city will keep moving, planning, and hosting, but this moment will stay. It will mark a time when joy wasn’t just celebrated, it was built one conversation, one handshake, one shared belief at a time.

FAQs

What is Joy Forum 2025?
Joy Forum 2025 is a global entertainment and business gathering held on October 16–17, 2025, at Boulevard City Riyadh. Organized by the General Entertainment Authority (GEA), it brings together world leaders, creators, and innovators to discuss the future of global entertainment.

Who are the global icons attending Joy Forum 2025?
The confirmed lineup includes MrBeast, Gary Vaynerchuk, Dana White, Piers Morgan, Shaquille O’Neal, Jon Jones, Daymond John, Aamir Khan, and more— representing digital media, sports, entrepreneurship, and cinema.

How does Joy Forum 2025 fit into Riyadh Season?
Joy Forum is one of the key highlights of Riyadh Season 2025, which starts on October 10. It reflects Saudi Arabia’s commitment to growing its entertainment industry as part of Vision 2030, hosting world-class events and collaborations.

What can visitors expect from Joy Forum 2025?
Visitors can expect keynote talks, panel discussions, and networking sessions featuring top global figures in entertainment and business. The forum offers an immersive look at innovation, storytelling, and creative leadership shaping the industry’s future.

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This article is brought to you by Soul of Saudi (a Saudi travel blog dedicated to uncovering the beauty, heart, and soul of the Kingdom).